The government started locking down the Dili city two weeks ago (early
March 2021) after finding out the first Covid-19 local transmission case. To
prevent spread of the virus, the lockdown immediately limits social and economic
activities within as well as bars exit from and entry to the city. Only
essential and emergency related traffics are allowed with a so-called tight
protocol. It allows essentials to be transported and being accessed in the
market.
The lockdown affects the local food market as well. After the first
week of the lockdown, the local food supply in the traditional markets started scarce.
As far as I go out and observe, the stock of fruits, vegetables, tubers,
legumes, and others started to phase out in the first week. Some of fruit street
vendor stalls are even empty completely. I stopped by onetime and asked, they
said “no banana anymore coming from vicinity and municipal areas.”
As a regular buyer of banana, I started to recognize the price difference last week. According to my experience, the normal average price for a bunch of banana is $1.5. The maximum is like $2.5 for a healthy and fresh look one. This morning, I went to the traditional markets including the fruit market at Lecidere and found out that the average price has gone up to $2.5. Another, I found a larger and fresh look banana and it was $5.
I used to bargain in
the market, and there was a room for bargaining most of the time. I often could
still get it reduced after the negotiation. However, for this time, the vendor jokingly
told me that there is no time for bargaining anymore. $ 5.00 is a fixed price for this damn
good banana.
We laughed together (of course in a social distance manner).
I then asked the vendor again “Do you think you will low the price once we come
to the normal live? Yes, he said when there are more bananas.” He meant that if
the normal supply resumes, then the market will set itself to the normal price.
I hope that the Covid-19 can get controlled, so that we all can get what we
afford.
**Hope this gives you an inspiration.
